English IO Script

For my English IO I will be focusing on the global issue Racial Inequality. This is an
issue which has been around the world for decades and show no signs of slowing
down. Racial qualities such as Skin tone has over the years been used to determine
and judge a person often creating stereotypes in the society.

There have been people who have never gave up and Faught racism throughout
their lives. These people were not just fighting for themselves but for others who lost
hope.

The Literary work that I have chosen is a poem “Still I rise” by Maya Angelou and the
Non-literary text is a video “Stranger humiliates man in public and fate changes their
position” by the YouTube channel Dramatize Me
Both these works demonstrate the racial stereotypes formed in the society and the
dedication put in by the artists to overcome racism.

Maya Angelou’s, Still I rise is an inspiring piece of work which celebrated self-
acceptance and self-love. The poem is a manifesto against the stereotypical society
that dominates based on skin tone. Maya Angelou starts the poem by making it very
clear that no one can oppress her due to her Skin color and whatever people think
about her and write about her but nevertheless she will not give up and rise not
bothering about what others think about her, she will rise. She further emphasizes
about others being upset with her “sassiness” “Oil well pumping in my living room”
taunting them by being a successful Black woman as the oil well signifies success
and wealth

The Poem not only focuses on Maya Angelou as an individual but the whole black
community who have been able to prove others wrong and break the society made
stereotypes. Maya Angelou uses a very strong tone and a highly inspired mood
which allows to create a greater impact towards a marginalized community
motivating them to break the barriers. She also hints at a sarcastic tone when she
asks the question “ does my haughtiness offend you”. Pointing out hypocrisy of the
society as she was able to gain success over the community that tried to oppress
her. Don’t you take it awful hard” flaunting success to the community where she was
always oppressed.

Still I rise used vivid imagery “ like the dust, Still I rise” signifies the power of the dust
which can infact blind those who trod her. The use of smili also adds to imagery “I
laugh like I got gold mines digging in my own backyard” comparing her laugh to gold
mines in her backyard showing her success despite being a black woman.

Maya Angelou’s still I rise is a very symbolic poem and it contains several phrases
which symbolize different ideas. Such as the use of the word “Dirt” shows how the
people of the black community were mistreated. The oil wells and the gold mines
symbolize her success not in terms on money but where she has come being a black
woman in this society. The phares leaving behind nights of terror and fear
symbolizes fear and oppression. All these show how the marginalized community is
being oppressed and how being in such a scenario doesn’t affect her at all rather
she takes it all as motivation to be better and prove them wrong, expressing her
determination retotical questions questioning the oppressing comunity

The repetition of the phrase “I rise” reminds us of the fact that even after being a part
of a marginalized community and facing racism she was able to rise no matter what
she had to face, also proving the dominating community wrong.

Maya Anglou’s other poem such as the “phenomenal woman” also focus on showing
pride in who you really are. Most of Maya Angelou poems focus on the theme of
racial or gender inequality whether its slavery or being a black woman. She never
fails to motivate and inspire her readers with her poems.

The same oppression, racial discrimination, motivation, and inspiration are also
shown in the ending parts of the video by dramatize me. Mainly the video focuses on
a young white man humiliating an India because of his skin tone but the Indian turns
out to be his new boss. The boss is applauded by everyone except the young man.
The Indian boss doesn’t give up and finally overcomes the racism he was facing by
the young man.

Bill the young man poisons the investors of the company blaming it all of the new
boss. The boss and bill both escape and the investor sign the deal. Being the boss
he addresses the company referring to them and hard-working talented individuals.
The boss kept his personal grudge with bill aside. Bill came to the boss with a
resignation letter .Being the boss and having the full right to fire anyone at anypoint,
the boss could have fired bill a long time ago however when bill asked why he wasn’t
fired. The boss replied by saying “abusing an abuser leads to hatred and if not here
you’ll do the same thing to someone elsewhere” This ideology of the boss is also
shown through an anecdote that the boss shares with Bill. Bill feels ashamed and
apologises to the boss

Having more power but still not taking revenge shows the boss’s humbleness and by
ignoring whatever bill did and forgiving him was a big step which many would not
accept and would rather opt for taking revenge. Not misuing his power the boss was
able to gain a sentimental value in bills heart and also show that he treats everyone
equally no matter their position, age or color. The bosses way to deal with facing
racism was no different from how maya Angelo portrayed in “Still I rise”. Both
symbolizing “ Bury them with you success.”

The other videos chosen in the bow are very similar to this video and the theme of
still I rise, as they all show overcoming racism after being oppressed,. The BOW for
Dramatize me also focuses on racial and gender inequality being faced by Muslims,
Asians and afro Americans. All the videos however show overcoming racism as a
solution and is effectively able to spread awareness about the fact that age, gender,
skin and economic status doesn’t matter and after all we’re all humans.

The stereotypical mindset of people has always driven marginalized communities to

“It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from. The ability to triumph begins
with you—always” Oprah Winfrey